Costa Rica: Rio Celeste & Rincon de la Vieja
6 days, San José to Playa Flamingo
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1San José to Rincón de la Vieja
After an early arrival and departure from San Jose, the group will travel to the famed ethereal blue waters of Rio Celeste. Set off on a CEO-led walk through the area with views of the river along the route before an included lunch. Continue onwards to the Rincon de la Vieja area where you will enjoy a welcome meeting and have dinner at the lodge restaurant, before a night walk on the nearby trails.
Please note that pre-nights are highly recommended to ensure your timely arrival for a 7:30am departure from the airport in San José.
Private Vehicle
Sit back and scan the scenery from a private vehicle between San José and Parque Nacional Volcan Tenorio, where Rio Celeste is located.
Rio Celeste Visit & Walk
North of Lake Arenal lies another spectacular protected area called Volcán Tenorio National Park. We'll set off on foot from the main entrance and hike along jungle trails and down a series of stairways to the brilliantly blue Rio Celeste Waterfall. Take in the scenery and watch for wildlife like monkeys and birds in the canopy above before hiking out on the same trail.
Private Vehicle
Sit back and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle from the area where Rio Celeste is to the lodge in the Rincon de la Vieja area.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour.
Night Walk
Enjoy a walk on the trails of the lodge's property. Experience the richness of the tropical rainforest's nocturnal noises and wildlife. Walk along as your CEO points out flora and fauna, and you search for mother nature's nightly secrets. Listen to birds still singing and insects buzzing. Surrounded by the thick darkness of trees towering above you, this will be an entirely different experience than the daylight hours.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel Buena Vista del Rincon (or similar)
Meals included:
Lunch | DinnerDay 2Rincón de la Vieja National Park Area
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before transferring to Rincón de la Vieja National Park where you will embark on a hike in the area to gain a full sense of the tropical and volcanic landscape, while searching for resident wildlife. Travel back to the hotel in the afternoon for free time on the property. Activity options range from ziplining, hiking in the area, and various cultural experiences.
Rincón de la Vieja Hiking
Set off on a 3.2km (2 mile) hike on the Las Pailas trail that cuts through tropical rainforest and weaves through various volcanic activity. The trail begins in an open area with few trees, where you will hear about the legend of the nearby volcano. Be on the lookout for volcanic bubbling mud, small craters, and see if you can smell sulfuric fumes. The rest of the trail is surrounded by dense vegetation and will provide possible opportunities to see wildlife.
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: Between 2-3hrs
Distance: 3.5km (2.5 miles) total. It is a loop trail.
Free Time
Take advantage of a free afternoon back at the lodge to partake in outdoor activities. Opt to zipline or hike in the area. It's the perfect way to gain a real sense of this volcanic and tropical rainforest climate.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Hike on trails in the area
Hike through the wonderful and dense rainforest along nearby trails and gain a true immersion into the natural landscape.
Ziplining - Rincon de la Vieja
Fly over the trees on 7 cables crossing the dense forest below and take in views of the Rincon de la Vieja. volcano. Choose to ride on more extreme segments if you wish, and on the Tarzan Swing jump from a 50m high platform to swing through the jungle.
Please note the weight limit on this activity is 200lbs (91kg).
Accommodation
Hotel Buena Vista del Rincon (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 3Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park Area
Enjoy a full free day in the Rincon de la Vieja area with an abundance of optional activities to choose from. Between hiking, bird watching, or spa treatments and a soak in the hot springs, your day can be as leisurely or busy as you’d like.
Choose to pre-book the Jungle Waterslide for a fun adventure through the jungle.
Free Time
The area is an outdoor lover's paradise! Enjoy access to the lodge's amenities. Opt to swim in the pool, walk along the nearby trails, or partake in other activities on offer like, learning about the growing and artisanal process of sugarcane, or attending a Chorotega workshop, a ceramics unique to Central America—and representative of the region's Indigenous history. Other possibilities are, hiking to the nearby Salitral Waterfall, trying the onsite waterslide through the jungle, or focus on wellness with optional spa and thermal bath experiences. You have all day!
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Jungle Waterslide
Throw on a bathing suit and store any of your personal items in the lockers and restroom area at the base of the slide. Then, once you have received your helmet and tube, and listened to a few safety briefings, you will be on your way. Walk through the lush forest with your tube for about 8 minutes to reach the launch point. Then climb on your tube and plunge down a 425m water slide through the heart of the tropical jungle. Feel the excitement as you reach full speed, winding down on the longest jungle waterslide in Costa Rica.
Hike on trails in the area
Hike through the wonderful and dense rainforest along nearby trails and gain a true immersion into the natural landscape.
Ziplining - Rincon de la Vieja
Fly over the trees on 7 cables crossing the dense forest below and take in views of the Rincon de la Vieja. volcano. Choose to ride on more extreme segments if you wish, and on the Tarzan Swing jump from a 50m high platform to swing through the jungle.
Please note the weight limit on this activity is 200lbs (91kg).
Accommodation
Hotel Buena Vista del Rincon (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 4Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park Area to Playa Flamingo
After breakfast at the lodge the group will travel to Playa Flamingo on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast. Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk upon arrival to get to know this uniquely set up town, whose central area has remained a pristine beach protected by a large mangrove forest. Then, spend a free evening exploring on your own.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Playa Flamingo Orientation Walk
Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk through the small beach town of Playa Flamingo. This popular local destination boasts fine white sand, clear blue waters, lagoons, and a variety of more secluded beaches with rocks reaching into the sea. Become acquainted with the layout as you walk through main area.
Free Time
Spend a free late afternoon and evening in Playa Flamingo. Go to the beach, visit some of the local shops, or find a nearby restaurant to try out for dinner.
Accommodation
Hotel Casas del Toro (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Playa Flamingo
Spend a full free day in paradise. Opt to prebook a Catamaran excursion to get out onto the water for a whole new view of the Playa Flamingo area. Or choose to enjoy the beach on your own with swimming and sunbathing.
Free Time
The whole day is yours in Playa Flamingo. Choose to spend it out on the water by pre-booking a catamaran experience, or choose to lie on a fluffy white-sand beach with mangroves gently rustling in the distance. From beach town vibes to secluded lagoons this place is a true taste of Costa Rica's northwestern coastline.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Playa Flamingo Catamaran
Hop aboard a catamaran departing from the Flamingo Marina and cruise along five miles of stunning coastline to a nearby beach. Here the boat will anchor and you will be able to enjoy time for snorkelling, kayaking, and swimming. As you partake in the water activities your crew will be preparing a delicious buffet lunch to be had aboard the boat in this pristine setting. Afterwards, the catamaran will continue sailing and the group will have the opportunity to try and spot dolphins, tropical fish, and possibly a few whales.
Accommodation
Hotel Casas del Toro (or similar)
Day 6Playa Flamingo
Depart at any time.
Please note that while your tour ends in Playa Flamingo, there are taxis/shuttle services available to the Liberia airport. These services depart from the town of Potrero which is 10 minutes from your Finish Point Hotel. It takes one hour to get to the airport in Liberia from Potrero.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.